e. coli

Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli, is a normal bacterial inhabitant of the intestinal tract of both humans and animals. E. coli is a gram-negative bacterial rod. Most strains of E. coli are not pathogenic, but some strains are known to cause disease. Most infections by pathogenic E. coli will cause disease in the intestinal tract resulting in diarrhea and inflammation of the intestines.